Country name:
conventional long form:
Republic of Albania
conventional short form:
Albania
local long form:
Republika e Shqiperise
local short form:
Shqiperia
former:
People's Socialist Republic of Albania

Constitution:
a new constitution was adopted by popular referendum on 28 November 1998;
notethe opposition Democratic Party boycotted the vote

Legal system:
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state:
President of the Republic Rexhep MEIDANI (since 24 July 1997)
head of government:
Prime Minister Pandeli MAJKO (since 2 October 1998)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister and approved by the
president
elections:
president elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term; election
last held 24 July 1997 (next to be held NA 2002); prime minister appointed
by the president
election results:
Rexhep MEIDANI elected president; People's Assembly vote by numbertotal
votes 122, for 110, against 3, abstained 2, invalid 7

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, chairman of the Supreme Court is elected by the People's
Assembly for a four-year term

Political parties and leaders:
Albanian Socialist Party or PS (formerly the Albania Workers Party) [Fatos
NANO, chairman]; Democratic Party or PD [Sali BERISHA]; Albanian Republican
Party or PR [Fatmir MEHDIU]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender
GJINUSHI]; Unity for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vasil MELO, chairman];
National Front (Balli Kombetar) or PBK [Hysen SELFO]; Movement of Legality
Party or PLL [Guri DUROLLARI]; Party of National Unity or PUK [Idajet
BEQIRI]; Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Zef BUSHATI]; PBSD (expansion
unknown) [leader NA]; Democratic Party of the Right or PDD [Petrit
KALAKULA]; Democratic Alliance or PAD [Neritan CEKA]; Social Democratic
Union Party or USdS [Teodor LACO]; Albanian United Right or DBSH [leader
NA]